Medicine and Health Sciences Commons^™

The Efficacy Of Functional Assessments In Rehabilitation Medicine, Keith E. Swanson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Functional assessment in rehabilitation medicine is not a new concept. Functional assessment measures have, however, experienced increased usage. Health insurance companies and clinicians are now focusing on functional outcomes in addition to objective tests.

Certain measurement criteria must be satisfied before a measurement tool may be successfully implemented into the clinical setting. Variable standardization, reliability, and validity are necessary for accurate measurement. The term function, however, deals with many variables leading to definitional difficulty.

The purpose of the functional assessment is to describe, screen and assess, and monitor. Although many functional assessments are available for clinical use, most lack scientific …

Burn Care: The Use Of Cpm, Electrical Stimulation And Lasers, Jennifer Walter

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

p>The treatment of patients with burns has always been a tedious venture. The burn team may devote many long and painful hours to the patient's rehabilitation. Physical therapists play an important part on this team, especially in the areas of wound care and pain control. The purpose of this literature review is to analyze the physiological mechanisms of continuous passive motion, electrical stimulation, and lasers in regard to wound healing and pain perceptions.

In relation to wound healing, electrical stimulation and lasers were found to enhance the actual healing process, mostly in the early phases of healing. Continuous passive …

Treatment Of Urinary Incontinence In Females: A Physical Therapist's Guide, Natalie R. Wells

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

p>Urinary incontinence is a common problem for many females in the united states. Most people with this problem believe that their main options for treatment are surgery or medications. People with incontinence, along with their attending physician, often do not realize the types of conservative therapy that are available for the treatment of urinary incontinence in females. As the understanding of urinary incontinence has increased, there has also been an increased awareness of the role of physical therapy in the conservative treatment of the problem.

The purpose of this paper is to review the literature regarding the assessment and …

A Critical Review Of The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (Hiv) Infection And The Most Common Clinical Manifestations Of Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (Aids), Randy Willman

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this independent study is to review the viral and immunologic factors in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection and present the clinical manifestations most commonly associated with acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS). As physical therapists, we will thus increase our knowledge base of this complex disease and understand the many opportunistic infections associated with HIV infection and the various aspects of AIDS. In addition, by having a better understanding of the disease, we may overcome our fears, improve our personal attitudes toward patients with HIV/AIDS, and improve and prolong the quality of life of individuals with the disease.

Comparisons Of Performance On The Short Form Of The Bruininks-Oseretsky Test Of Motor Proficiency Between 14-Year-Old Children And 18 To 24-Year-Old Adults, Jenny Eshleman, Elizabeth Michmershuizen, Jennifer Zackrison

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine the need for normative data for adults on the Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency (BOTMP). This was determined by finding differences in performance between the 18 to 24-year-old adults from this study and the 14-year-olds from the original study.; A sample of 33 females and 30 males were administered the Short Form (SF) of the BOTMP. Mean scores and standard deviations were computed from the raw scores of the subjects. These values were compared by t-test among the subjects of this study, and to the original sample of 14-year old children. The …

Postural Sway In Elderly Females During The Six Sensory Conditions Of The Clinical Test For Sensory Interaction In Balance, Selena Horner, Gregory Vidro, Deborah Wildenhaus

Masters Theses

This study was designed to quantify postural sway in healthy elderly females during the Clinical Test for Sensory Interaction in Balance. Sixteen females who ranged in age from 65 to 83 participated. Each individual performed three trials of the test on the Balance Master{dollar}\sp\circler{dollar}, which recorded percent postural sway area. Sway values from the third trial were used in data analysis.; Using a repeated measures ANOVA (F(5,75) = 33.38, p {dollar}<{dollar}.01), statistical significance was found between conditions. The post hoc Tukey's determined increased postural sway in conditions 5 and 6 (M = 1.8175 and 1.7425 respectively, p {dollar}<{dollar}.05). Results indicated postural sway increased with intersensory conflict (altered somatosensation and altered or eliminated vision) leading to the conclusion that healthy elderly females relied heavily on somatosensory and visual input for maintenance of standing balance.

Age-Induced Adaptations To The Motor Unit, Andrew Mezsaros

Faculty Publications - College of Physical Therapy

No abstract provided.

The Delineation Of Factors Influencing Physical Therapists To Accept A Position At A Rural Hospital In Michigan, Jon A. Cummings, Matthew E. Flynn, E. J. Miller

Masters Theses

This descriptive study seeks to identify the primary factors influencing physical therapists to accept a position as a physical therapist (P.T.) at a rural hospital in the state of Michigan and is designed to enhance the body of knowledge regarding rural hospital recruitment of physical therapists. Of the 63 rural hospitals in Michigan, (rural as defined by the Michigan Hospital Association), 55 agreed to participate in this study. One hundred and twenty-three questionnaires were distributed. Eighty-three were completed and returned to obtain a 67% response rate. Frequency distribution, cluster and factor analysis, coefficient alpha, multivariate analysis of variance and the …

Physical Therapists' Perceived Risk For Contracting The Hepatitis B Virus, Patricia Rohrs, Jill Slagal

Masters Theses

This study was designed to determine whether physical therapists' perceived risks for contracting hepatitis B had a significant effect on the acceptance or rejection of the hepatitis B vaccine. Knowledge and compliance with Universal Precautions was also explored.; The sample consisted of 122 physical therapists employed by general hospitals in Michigan which were greater than 200 beds with five or more therapists on staff. The participants completed a 26 item questionnaire.; The results indicated that 100% of the respondents were aware of the hospital's Universal Precautions policies. Only 22.5% did not always carry them out in cases where they should. …

Physical Therapy Students' Views Of Preparation To Practice Under Direct Access, Kristina Scheuneman, Lana Tubman

Masters Theses

Education must keep pace with the trend toward nationwide direct access to physical therapy. This study surveyed students in their final year of an entry-level master's degree program to determine if they feel prepared to practice under direct access upon graduation. Only 34-38% of the students felt prepared to practice under direct access.; The main factor that influenced their low perceptions of preparation was the amount of clinical affiliation experience remaining. Other factors, such as direct access status of the state in which the students were educated and most skills and knowledge related to direct access, did not correspond with …

Entry-Level Master's Vs Bachelor's Degree In Physical Therapy: Employers' Perspectives On Hiring And Promoting, Michele Elisa Klukos, Tracy Errol Mobley, Melissa Ann Monken

Masters Theses

The purpose of this study was to determine if there is a perceived advantage among employers in holding a particular entry-level degree in physical therapy when seeking employment or when being considered for promotion to an administrative/supervisory position. The investigators tested two separate hypotheses: (1) There is no perceived advantage among employers in holding an entry-level master's degree when seeking employment as a staff physical therapist, and (2) There is a perceived advantage among employers in holding an entry-level master's degree when being considered for promotion to an administrative/supervisory position. The investigators sent a questionnaire to the director/supervisor of rehabilitation …

Minority Student Recruitment And Retention Efforts By Physical Therapy Schools In The United States, Julie Deboer, Brooke Nyssen

Masters Theses

This study was designed to determine whether schools that attempt to recruit and retain minority students have greater numbers of minority applicants, enrollees, or graduates when compared to schools that make no efforts. We surveyed 125 physical therapy programs accredited by the American Physical Therapy Association's Commission on Accreditation in Physical Therapy Education in the United States. We determined what efforts were used most often. Athletic screening and using alumni were associated with a higher number of minority applicants. No efforts were associated with greater minority enrollment. Tutoring was associated with higher numbers of minority graduates. However, we found no …

Physical Therapy Management Of Rodeo Injuries, Edith Ann Ready

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The sport of rodeo is a high risk event. Each event presents unique dangers creating opportunity for injury. The high injury rate calls for medical intervention for these athletes. However, there are a limited number of publications and research relative to medical care for rodeo athletes.

The purpose of this paper is to inform physical therapists about the sport of rodeo, its members, mode of injury and atmosphere surrounding this sport. By increasing awareness, physical therapists will have a better understanding of rodeo and the special challenges it presents.

Several key points will be discussed. The history of rodeo, as …

Hypermobility And Specific Joint Pathology In Young Competitive Gymnasts, Jonathon M. Weiss

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study was twofold: (1) to study the prevalence of hypermobility in young, competitive gymnasts and (2) to determine if the presence of hypermobility predisposes the athlete to particular joint pathologies. Subjects included 44 female members of the American Gold Gymnastics Club in Fargo, ND. These athletes were divided into three training groups based on age and skill level. All athletes were screened for systemic hypermobility by utilizing the Beighton scale. Lumbar extension, wrist extension, and navicular drop (referred to as range of motion values) were also measured on each subject. Parents and the athletes filled out …

The Effect Of Semi-Rigid Foot Orthotics On Subtalar Joint Subluxation And Pain During Three Gait Velocities, Lynnelle A. Gelinske

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

It has been established that foot orthotics can effectively control the amount of maximal calcaneal eversion while walking. However, there are conflicting studies about the successfulness of foot orthotics in regulating rearfoot motion during running. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of standard vertical semi-rigid foot orthotics in controlling subtalar joint subluxation (ST JS) and pain during three gait velocities. The study was also completed to ascertain whether any correlations existed between 8T JS and the static lower extremity measurements of tibio-fibular varum, gastrocnemius flexibility, and navicular drop. The results of this study revealed that pain …

A Review Of Noninvasive Tools Used For Measuring Flexion Of The Lumbar Spine, Mary E. Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this study is to compare the reliability, validity, and ease of administration for various noninvasive tools used for measuring flexion of the lumbar spine. A synopsis of several clinical techniques is offered: Schober's technique, modified Schober, modified modified Schober, fingertip to floor, modified fingertip to floor, goniometer, single inclinometer, double inclinometer, and flexicurves. The results were variable for the different techniques with each having its own inherent advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately, the clinician can weigh the information presented when choosing a technique. It appears that a true gold standard has yet to be described. Therefore, it is …

Chinese Medicine: An Effective Alternative For Physical Therapists, Nancy Palumbo

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Acupressure is a technique that has been used for thousands of years in China, and has gained popularity in the United States since the 1960's. Research shows a high correlation between trigger points and acupuncture points, though discovered independently and labeled differently, the same phenomenon of can be explained by the same neural mechanisms. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of Chinese medicine and its use in physical therapy. First, a literature review consisting of a brief history of Chinese medicine and traditional Western medicine is compared. Next, the results of a survey distributed to 47 …

Rehabilitation Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction: A Comparison Of Traditional And Accelerated Approaches, Michael S. Wanbaugh

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Rehabilitation following Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) reconstruction has become an area of controversy in recent years. Most clinicians have used the traditional rehabilitation protocols which correlate mobility, weightbearing, and strength training with the bio-mechanical and surgical constraints of graft fixation and healing. However, a trend towards the use of accelerated protocols is more evident today. The accelerated approach stresses activity and weightbearing in the early periods of the rehabilitation process following the reconstructive surgery. The proponents of the accelerated protocol believe that earlier activity will enhance the healing of the graft without causing an increase in knee instability.

The purpose …

Fetal Tissue Transplantation In Parkinson's Disease: A Literature Review, Kathleen Thompson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Parkinson's disease (PD) is a common progressive neurological disorder. It affects the central nervous system by depleting the basal ganglia of dopamine. To date, the standard treatment is drug therapy to replace the lacking dopamine. However, this treatment is problematic as there are many side effects to the drugs. Also, this treatment does not effect the progression of this disease. Therefore, drug therapy becomes continuously less effective in treating PD. For this reason, new forms of therapy are being researched for the treatment of advanced PD. One of the most recent therapeutic interventions is fetal tissue transplantation.

The purpose of …

A Retrospective Look At The Use Of Manual Therapy, Susan Adele Sollom

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Manual Therapy (MT) has been used extensively since the origin of the Physical Therapy profession and includes massage, traction, exercise, stretching or compression of soft tissue, range of motion tests, manual muscle tests, palpation, joint mobilization and manipulation. Interest and enthusiasm for MT has especially grown among clinicians and educators in the last decade. However, despite its common use, research and documentation involving the efficacy and reliability of MT are extremely rare. Many techniques and concepts have yet to be justified. These concepts need to be critically tested, discussed, and revised, and the profession needs to be challenged to show …

Regaining Control: Emotional Adjustment After A Myocardial Infarction, Angela J. Bryl

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Cardiac rehabilitation is the process of the development and maintenance of a desirable level of physical, social, occupational, and psychological functioning after the onset of cardiovascular illness. The scope of cardiac rehabilitation has evolved from what first began as strict bed rest to now a complete multidimensional approach including many health disciplines. The psychological aspects of rehabilitation have become just as integral as the physical components. Regaining a sense of control through a process of emotional adjustment is one of the important factors of psychological rehabilitation after a myocardial infarction.

The purpose of this study is to first examine different …

Physical Therapy And Internal Derangement Of The Temporomandibular Joint, Kathy Johnson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

In orthopedic literature, internal derangement is considered to be one of the main predisposing factors in the development of temporomandibular joint dysfunction and subsequent arthrosis. Internal derangement can be defined as the abnormal relationship of the articular disc to the condyle and consists of a multitude of disorders.

Physical therapy is well-recognized as an effective, conservative method of treatment for temporomandibular disorders. Early treatment to correct symptomatic internal derangement decreases the possibility of disc deformation and further joint degeneration. However, much of the physical therapy literature consists of uncontrolled case studies and focal clinical technique articles. For this reason, there …

Critical Overview Of Wound Care Modalities, Keith W. Hartnett

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The purpose of this independent study is to explore Physical Therapy modalities used in adjunct to traditional wound management. There are many factors that influence the healing rate. A basic knowledge of the body's healing process is needed in order to understand the affects modalities have on the wound.

The key to wound management is the initial and constant assessment. The patient history, subjective information, and objective measure are critical to the etiology and progression of the wound, and will be discussed.

Modalities can accelerate wound healing. Mechanical and physiological effects of the different modalities will be explored. This study …

Subjective Functional Knee Outcomes Following Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstructive Surgery, Malissa K. Hauser

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

It is established in the literature that primary repair of the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) deficient knee is achieved through means of reconstructive surgery. However, with continuing advances in both the surgical technique performed and, consequently, the rehabilitation program implemented following reconstruction, the need for ongoing research becomes essential in evaluating the long-term effectiveness of such changes. Currently, the longterm follow-up studies available on ACL reconstructive surgery report information through means of clinical evaluation and objective testing measures with little or no emphasis on the value of the patient's subjective responses. The purpose of this study is to determine the …

Open Versus Closed Kinetic Chain Exercise In The Lower Extremity, Christine Krantz

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

This study is a literature review comparing and contrasting the advantages of closed kinetic chain exercise over open kinetic chain exercise. It is the purpose of this study to show that open kinetic chain exercise may not be the safest or the most functional way to rehabilitate the lower extremity. It is also the purpose to show the specific advantages of using closed kinetic chain exercise over open kinetic chain exercise to protect the integrity of the ACL deficient or reconstructed knee by decreasing anterior shear forces, increasing joint compression, increasing joint proprioception, increasing muscular joint compression, and increasing the …

A Literature Review Of Strengthening And Injury Prevention Techniques As Related To High School Athletes, Matthew Miller

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

In the U.S. an estimated 20-25 million youths participate in high school athletics yearly. Of these, nearly 30% will be forced to miss part or all of the season due to injury. It has been speculated that through proper training, many of the injuries seen may be reduced or eliminated. However, most coaches do not have an extensive anatomical and physiological background to provide athletes with these correct training techniques. Although athletic trainers have expertise in this area, they are only employed in approximately 10% of the high school systems in the U.S.

Much of the research to date on …

A Literature Review Of The Team Approach In The Cardiac Rehabilitation Process, Kristin Nelson

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

Teamwork is a term that is now commonplace in the provision of health services for all people. Variations of this team are widely used, such as multidisciplinary teams and inter-disciplinary teams. A health care team is a group of persons, each possessing particular expertise, who have a common purpose and goal. Teams including professionals, such as nurses, doctors, physical therapists, social workers, and other staff, depending on needs and local resources, are now commonplace in hospital and community services. The purpose of this independent study is to review the literature regarding collaborative team approaches to cardiac rehabilitation. Included in this …

Shoulder Pathology In The Pitching Athlete: A Review Of Mechanics Involved In Throwing And Conservative Management, Conny C. Randolph

Physical Therapy Scholarly Projects

The pathological shoulder in the pitching athlete offers a unique challenge to the therapist. Most often, the injury relates to the throwing motion itself. Therefore, for the therapist to efficiently diagnose and treat this patient population, they must be familiar with the normal biomechanics associated with pitching, and be familiar with the structures that are commonly stressed or injured during various phases of the pitch.

Therefore, the purpose of this paper is to outline the normal biomechanics associated with the pitch, review common pathologies as they relate to the stresses imposed by the pitch, and discuss current concepts regarding the …

Safe At The Shoulder, Daniel Cipriani

Physical Therapy Faculty Articles and Research

The key to preventing shoulder injuries is understanding the anatomy of the shoulder complex and how the body's other muscles affect the throwing motion

Fitness For The Spinal Cord Population: Establishing A Program In Your Facility, Sarah Morrison

Sarah Morrison, PT, MBA, MHA

No abstract provided.